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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Ben Banks

Ally McCoist tells Ronaldo 'his time's been' as Graeme Souness gives inside track on Moroccan players' fitness

Graeme Souness says Portugal didn't look like harming Morocco in the African nation's historic 1-0 World Cup quarter-final win - as fellow Rangers favourite Ally McCoist took aim at Cristiano Ronaldo.

The 37-year-old great of the game was left in tears as Youssef En-Nesyri's header sent his nation tumbling out the tournament in what could be his last appearance on that stage. Ibrox legend McCoist was on co-commentary duty for ITV and wants all focus to be on a side who are their continent's first-ever side at the final four stage of world football's prized competition - but he sent a parting shot at free agent Ronaldo.

He said: "That was absolutely superb. Yes, that man is upset but the fact of the matter is that it's not about that man tonight. His time has been and it is all about Morroco this evening. What an example they have shown us with their organisation, flair and ability to work for each other. It was nothing short of magical."

Souness says Morocco deserve plenty credit after previous wins over Belgium and Spain, but the Rangers hero says Portugal have tumbled out of the running in Qatar without causing them much fuss. He added on his own experience with players from the African country: "They were sensational when it came to defending their box. They were aggressive and in terms of hard work and organisation, they were a credit to their country.

"They had to ride their luck at times. Do not take them lightly. To play against Spain with some of the best passing players, they nullified that threat. Tonight, against a team very similar but with some firepower, you were never sitting here thinking this is uncomfortable for Morocco.

"They defended so manfully. They have knocked out two big guns and they have not been holding on in desperate fashion. When I was at Benfica, I worked with a couple of Moroccan players.

"They had an incredible thirst for hard work. We did a pre-season in the mountains and they were half a mile in front of everyone else. A tremendous capacity for hard work."

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